Press Releases
Transcript of remarks by SFH at media session after ceremony of Antibiotic Awareness Day 2014
Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and
Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after officiating at a ceremony of Antibiotic
Awareness Day 2014 this afternoon (November 17):
Reporter: (On Hong Kong's situation in using antibiotics.)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think antimicrobial resistance is an issue
of global concern. In the World Health Assembly earlier this year, this was
one of the most dominating agenda. In fact, the phenomenon of antimicrobial
resistance is not only occurring in Hong Kong, but is a global phenomenon.
The pace of inventing new antibiotics is actually slowing down, and it is
our concern that new antibiotics available for health-care workers would be
getting fewer and fewer. If we do not work together and control the
situation of antimicrobial resistance, when the so-called "last resort"
antibiotics become ineffective in curing some of our commonly encountered
bacteria, we will of course be in trouble. As for Hong Kong, I think some
degree of inappropriate use of antibiotics does exist. For example, patients
might not be well educated to know the importance of completing the whole
course of antibiotics. This will also enhance the development of
antimicrobial resistance. So we need the collaboration of the entire
health-care sector, both public as well as private sectors, to work hand in
hand, to make a pledge in the proper use of antibiotics and in educating
patients on the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Reporter: (On the occupy movement.)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think so far the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government as well as our Police or other law
enforcing agencies have been exercising the greatest degree of tolerance
regarding the occupy movement. I would like to appeal to our protesters,
firstly to vacate all the sites being occupied, so that the public order and
livelihood of our citizens can resume normal as soon as possible, and
secondly to use rational and peaceful mode of expression to avoid any
possibility of violent outbreaks.
Reporter: (On the occupy movement.)
Secretary for Food and Health: As I have said, the Hong Kong Government as
well as the Police have been exercising the greatest degree of tolerance.
Whenever they need to take law enforcement action, the minimal level of
force will be used.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, November 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:01
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